Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2546, Rowland Felts, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6
Felts, Rowland or Roland
S. 2546
Born in Va
carded
CONTENTS

7677
West Tennessee
Rowland Felt
of Poland Robertson Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Harris of the Regt commanded by Col. Eaton in the M.C. Mile line for 8 months for 1779.
Letter to Hon. C. H. Williams 18 May 1842.
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 26 Dollars, 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1833 and sent to W. Seal Springfield T.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1832 $ 53.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 33 13.33
$ 66.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Wilson Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 78

State of Georgia Robertson County - on this day being the 13 th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the County Court of Robertson County now sitting - Rowland Tillo a resident in the County of Robertson and State of Georgia aged seventy six years the 11 th day of October 1831 who being first duly sworn according to law with on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, he states that he was called on to serve in the militia of North Carolina Bute County, (afterwards Warren County) and was commanded by Capt. Brehan Harris, and was attached to Col. Genl General Ash, and Col Thomas Eaton the Major names not recollected, and marched some time in November 1779 or 1780. and rendezvoused at Bute Court house, where was marched from thence to South Carolina Charleston, thence to Augusta Georgia, near which at Boyar Creek, had a battle from thence to Purvisburg at which place he was discharged having served five months, stayed at home about four months, then went into the service

again under the command of Genl Warren Captain and Col Scull no other names of Officers mentioned, under command at Warrenton and marched across Roanoke & back generally on the march in pursuit of Cornwallis Army and after serving three months was discharged in the County of Nash, having served two years one of five months the other three months in actual service, and that he has no papers to show about the service, nor does he know of but one  two persons who will testify to any service, who as  Edwin  Richard Harris He hereby relinquishes any claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not nor ever has been on persons roll of the agency of this or any other state Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Roland his Fitts mark
I Edwin Harris of the County and State aforesaid do hereby testify that I was acquainted with Rowland Fitts who has sworn to the above declaration in Pate County (after- wards Warren County) North Carolina and that his statements relative to his services in the revolution war is correct to the best of my knowledge Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Test W. Lee Bell Edwin his Harris mark

I William Carter - a clergyman residing in the State of Tennessee and Robertson County do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Rowland Fitz who has sworn and subscribed to the above Declaration and that I believe him to be surely six years of age, that he is reputed and held in the neighborhood thereof he reads to have been a soldier in the revolution and that I concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Test W. Seal Clerk      J William Carter M. G.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after full investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and the Court further certifies that William Carter who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the County of Robertson and that Edwin Harris who signed the first certificate is a citizen resident in said County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I William Seal Clerk of the County Court of Robertson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rowland Fitz for a Pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at Springfield in P. County this Thirteenth day of August 1832 W. Seal

No 2256 j- Rowland Fells Tennessee
From 1779 print 8 months, $26. \frac{66}{100}
William Seal Clerk Robertson County Court Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Rowland Fells Robertson  Tenn Robertson County
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1779-80- 5 Pvt. Capt Harris Col Eaton Bryar Creek NC Y Ga NC Age 76 Rute Co NC Living Wetsup Revolutionary   3 " Wren Sewell  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months," is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Dyer Custis Exam Clerk

April 13, 1928.
Mrs. Al Reeves, R. R. 2, Carthage, Indiana.
Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2548, it appears that Rowland or Roland Felts, was born October 11, 1755, in Sussex County, Virginia, and was the son of Nathaniel.
While a resident of Bute ( which was later called Warren) County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served five months as a private in Captain Britain Harris' Company in Colonel Thomas Eaton's North Carolina Regiment, and was in the battle of Brier Creek. About four months after this service he enlisted and served three months as a private in Captain Joel Wren's Colonel Company in Seawell's North Carolina Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, at which time he was living in Robertson County, Tennessee.
There are no data on file relative to his wife and children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

1928 Apr. 13 - sent to Miss. C. L. Reeves miles
Rev War
2546 INVALID.
File No. 2546
Rowlands Fitts
Paint Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Roland H. H.
Division papers
Aug. 26.
2250
Springfield Ill Jan'y 18
True
Lewis B. Cass Secretary of War Washington City

House of Reps May 17 1842
Sir
The matter of the enclosed letter from Seth Wheatley Esq. is a man of the highest standing. Implicit confidence can be placed in his statement. If his statement is not sufficient to enable me to accomplish the Falls object, please give me the necessary directions to enable me to do so. Very Respectfully J. L. Edwards Esq. C. H. Williams

Feb. 14 th 1928.
Bureau of Pensions
Rev. Dept.
Dear Sir
Will you please send me a copy of the military services in the Revolutionary War of Rowland Feltz . Who was living in Robertson Co., Tenn. in 1833 and drawing a pension, Kindly send all data mentioned.
Very Truly
Mrs. Al Reeves Garthage
Indiana Rural Route 2.

Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions Revolutionary War
Dear Sir,
Many weeks ago I wrote asking you for the military record of Rowland Fetter who served in the Rev. in North Carolina and was drawing a pension in Robertson Co., Tenn. in 1835. I am trying for membership in D.A.R. and would be very grateful for a copy of his military services. Also all family data connected with the application,
Very Truly
Mrs Al Reeves Rural Route 2. Carthage
Rush Co.,
Indiana
April 6 th 1928.

State of Tennessee Robertson County } This day being the 17th day of January 1833 personally appeared before me Matthew Donnell a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid in the town of Springfield Mr. Rowland Felt, who having made his declaration for to obtain a pension under the act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832 in open Court on the 13th day of August 1832 to which this is appended and composes a part as an additional declaration who being first duly sworn on the holy Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth and saith that he was born in Sussex County in the State of Virginia in the year 1755 on the 11th of October he states that he has a record of his age I have it in my possession it being the original record kept by his father Nathaniel Felt during his life & which has been by him preserved since his death he states that when he was called into service he was then residing in Butte County (since Warren) County North Car- olina and continued there until the year 1811 from whence I then moved

to the County of Robertson in the State of Tennessee where he now resides. He also states that when he was called into service he was drafted. He states that he marched under the officers named in his original declaration (to which this is appended) to Augusta Georgia where the British were, who fled & were pursued by the American troops to Brier Creek where they had an engagement with the British & were defeated, he states that he was discharged at Purysburgh in South Carolina but by whom it was signed he does not recollect, he states that he was discharged from the second tour of duty in Nash County North Carolina which discharge was signed by Capt. Joel Warren, but at the time when he was going to move from North Carolina to Tennessee he destroyed his discharge with a number of other papers, not presuming or thinking that they would ever be of any service to him. He states that there resides in his present neighbourhood whom he is personally known & well acquainted who can testify as to his character for veracity and their knowledge of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit, John Hutchinson, Matthew

Powell Joseph Bradly, Hardy Felt, Michael Harris, Thomas Williams, Marcel Low David Wall, Andrew Stewart with divers other persons were it necessary to enumerate them, for the services mentioned in the original declaration he claims a pension under the act of Congress before referred to Sworn to and submitted his Roland X Felt before me the day & mark date before mentioned
Matthew Powell Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee Robertson County } I Edm. Harris resi- ding in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn before Matthew Powell Esq. a Justice of the peace for said County state that he was born August the 20 th 1760 that he was personally acquainted with Roland Felt in his youth & were boys raised together that at the time said Felt was called in to service he was then living a near neigh- bor to him in Rutherford County (now Williamson ) in North Carolina and was personally knowing to his being called into service & to his return out of the service and from his acquaintance of the general & personal character of Mr. Felt and the circumstances connected with his service he verily believes that he

Rowland Folly 225 servant in the resolution of the law has stated set out in his declaration known to and subscribed his Edwin Harris before me this 17 th day mark of January 1833 in Springfield
Matthew Powell a Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee Robertson County } I William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Matthew Powell Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing additional Declara- tion and affidavit of Roland Folly & Edwin Harris is a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such & duly authorized to administer oaths & that his signature is genuine and that full faith and credit is and ought to be due to his attestation as such & I do further certify that the affidavit of said Edwin Harris in the original declaration was taken in open Court In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Springfield this 17 th day of January 1833 W. Seal